GRAND RAPIDS — It was the sort of scrap that ignited the crowd in different waves of emotion. At first, there were the initial reaction of both surprise and delight from fans, that sort of feeling you can’t quite explain but you know it when you see and hear it, intensity spreading quickly.

Then there was the more visceral response of appreciation, an affirmation for the legitimate fervor with which Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Filip Hronek and Manitoba Moose winger Michael Spacek were throwing their fists. There was nothing staged or contrived here, just pure, palpable enmity.

Next was the almost bemused sense of “Wow, this thing is still going, huh?” as the two players continued to circle and heave and careen across the ice, spittle flying, faces mottled stark red with fury and stiff arm grips by the official doing little to corral the pair.

And, finally, the realization that these players will be damned if they’re gonna let just one official...

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